Being the world’s largest notebook vendor, Lenovo has a great relationship with Intel, which it is leveraging by launching a new Intel-powered tablet running Android, dubbed the Lenovo Tab S8. As the name indicates, the tablet is an 8-inch offering featuring a full-HD IPS display. With most tablets in the low-cost Android segment running Qualcomm or MediaTek hardware, Lenovo is banking on Intel’s Bay Trail architecture for the Tab S8.
Under the hood, the Tab S8 is powered by the 1.8 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 CPU, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, frontal speakers and Android 4.4 KitKat. Although there isn’t a 64-bit version of Android available, when Google does launch a 64-bit version, Intel claims that the Bay Trail processor will offer significant advantages even though the amount of RAM is less than 4 GB. One reason why Intel was unable to find significant hardware wins with the Bay Trail line of CPUs has to do with energy efficiency, and with the Tab S8, the situation does not seem to be rectified, as the 4290mAh battery is claimed to offer a battery life of just over seven hours.
Other features of the Tab S8 include an 8 MP camera with auto-focus and a wide F2.2 lens, 1.6 MP front shooter, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. Those looking for faster Wi-Fi ac connectivity have to look elsewhere as Lenovo still does not seem inclined to offer the latest Wi-Fi standard in its low-cost products.
With dimensions of 209.8 x 123.8 x 7.9 mm and a weight of 299g, the Tab S8 is in-line with other 8-inch tablets in this segment, like the Galaxy Tab S 8.4. Lenovo is also offering four color variations of the tablet — Ebony, Blue, Canary Yellow and White — although availability will be based on the region.
Lenovo is targeting the US market with the Tab S8, which will be available in the country later this month for $200 for the Wi-Fi variant. An LTE version is in the works, and will be available later this year. Although the vendor is focusing its attention of the US market with the 8-inch tablet, an inter nation launch is also on the cards.
